Foel Lwyd and Drum: Avro Anson VV995?

Anson?
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

We went to Foel Lwyd and Drum in Snowdonia yesterday in some pretty nasty weather. Actually there seem to be two hills, two miles apart, marked Foel Lwyd on the OS map, but as it turned out we climbed both of them.

We ascended the first Foel Lwyd to look for Avro Anson VV995. Took no metal detector, as we were expecting big wreckage, based on the old reports.

Nothing visible at the coordinates given in High Ground Wrecks, which rated the site as "Medium"sized, or at the coords given by RJMP, who visited these sites in the seventies. This cairn was however found about four hundred feet from either coordinate.

We are going to have to do this one again with the metal detector. Note that the coordinates given below, and all coordinates on here from now on should have enhanced accuracy, as we upgraded our GPSr to one which averages many readings to give an estimated +/- 4m accuracy.

Location:SH 72245 72102

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Avro Anson Mk. 1 AX583

Anson:Drum
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

The undercarriage from this Anson, which crashed on the slopes of Drum in Snowdonia on 25th April 1944.

There is a burned scar on the marshy ground behind this, with an assortment of bits and formerly molten aluminium.

The bits reported to have been spread downhill were not visible to us. If the reports are true, these were probably washed down by the nearby stream, and are probably somewhere in its present or former bed, if they were not "recovered" by the usual suspects.

Location:SH 71684 69790

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DeHavilland Mosquito Mk. VI HX862

Mosquito: Drum
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

On the night of 25/9/44, a Mosquito from 60OTU flew into the ridge of Mt. Drum. The photo shows one of a number of fair-sized bits left in a grassy gully there. Not sure what this is, though it was found close to the remains of a prop. (We have since been advised by Alan of PDAAR that it is a gearbox which steps up the engine revs to feed the supercharger)

There is not as much wreckage left as there was in the seventies, according to our correspondent. We were particularly disappointed not to find the cannon which were there in '71.

Location: SH 71621 69138

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Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR7 Crash

It's a bit out of our area, but a Harrier GR7 crashed this week "just past the church" at Ashwell in Rutland. The pilot got out OK and no-one was hurt on the ground.

Location:SK 866 137 or thereabouts..

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Armstrong Vickers Wellington Mk.X MF584

MF584
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

With Mick away on hols, an easy outing with the B-Team to this Wellington site near Marchington.

There was a fair bit more wreckage from MF584 than has been found by others, which had been thrown by the farmer into the hedge. He told us we could have it if we liked!

The farmer also told us that there is to be a 'plane wreck recovery operation going on in August not too far distant from this site.

Location:SK 12508 29853

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DeHavilland Vampire F. B. Mk.5 VV601: Cwm Eigiau

Vampire:Cwm Eigiau
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

We attempted to clear the Cwm Eigiau sites in Snowdonia yesterday, but we were cheated of the Canberra at the end by the onset of thunderstorms as we ascended Llwellyn to its Ffynnon Llyffant resting place.

We did however find three sites, including this one of the sister ship to one we found previously in the Peak District, VV602.

This shows the crash site crater, with a collection of scraps proving that this is indeed the crash site.

Location:SH 72934 64739

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DeHavilland Vampire F. B. Mk.5 VV601

Vampire:Cwm Eigiau
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

Detail of scraps of aluminium found at the crash site.

Avro Anson Mk.I LT433 coded MI

Anson:Llyn Cowlyd
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

Wreckage (mostly undercarriage and engine components) from the crash site of an Anson above Llyn Cowlyd.

Unburned wreckage like this is spread around this area, and there are also burned spots with previously molten aluminium close by.

Location:SH 72753 63532

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Avro Anson Mk.I LT433 coded MI: Inspection Stamp

Anson:Llyn Cowlyd
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

An inspection stamp from the Anson site, for any fans of such items...

Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV L9039

Blenheim:Cwm Eigiau
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

A shattered Bristol Mercury engine from the Blenheim crash site in Cwm Eigiau below Craig yr Ysfa.

There is also a great deal of sheet aluminium around the site, most notably in a stream bed in the background of this picture.

Location:SH 69624 63897

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Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV L9039

Blenheim:Cwm Eigiau
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig2

The more complete of the two engines at the Blenheim wreck site.

Location:SH 69619 63918